How tall is too tall for Riverwalk?

Bill Mego could not be more on the mark. These buildings will be as little as 22 feet from the river. And not only will they be as tall as 64 feet, because of the drop to the river, they will be over 72 feet above the Riverwalk and even moreso above the river.

Looking at http://www.napervillehomeowners.com/NAHC/NewsDoc/NewsDoc9434.jpg on the Homeowners Confederation's web site you get an idea of just how much these buildings will loom over the Riverwalk. Need a better idea of how big these are? Look at just how small the people on the Riverwalk appear. Then compare the proposed building to the outline of the existing Township building on the right. If you have ever seen the Township building from Webster near the library, you know it sticks out above the treeline. The proposed buildings will dwarf the township building.

At http://www.napervillehomeowners.com/NAHC/NewsDoc/NewsDoc9435.jpg you get a view from across the river. As Mr. Mego pointed out, the perspective is deceiving. But again, look at how small the people appear directly in front of the buildings. And the Township building? The proposed buildings are so much larger, and so much closer to the river, you can barely see it on the right. But it is hidden away there, if you look real hard.

If buildings this size were built 50 years ago this close to the river, people would look at them and say "It is a shame they didn't appreciate what they had or realize what they did." But they didn't do that 50 years ago. They want to do this in 2008. Does Naperville City Council not realize what they are doing?

Help them out by emailing them at council@naperville.il.us

Bill Mego is apparently some kind of fuddy-duddy - Against all kind of change. "it will forever change the character of our downtown and the Riverwalk". Sure it will change, but maybe that change is for the better. The pictures are beautiful. I would be glad to see it there. The TIF is another matter. Giving them 11 years of tax breaks is WAY too much, especially when Distict 203 needs all the money it can get to fix their old buildings. Build it and Tax it.

I think it' a fine looking project, one that will enhance the downtown and the Riverwalk. Downtowns and other places that don't grow will die. The height of the buildings do not bother me. I don't think it deserves a tax break either.

While I think everyone is excited to see Water St. re-develop, there are some real concerns with the proposal. Narrowing Water Street 9 feet, just to get another 100 cars in the parking garage makes no sense to me. The height, and the overt commercialization of the riverwalk bothers me too. There is a real charm to our downtown, especially by the riverwalk. That's one of the reasons the downtown is so popular.

The issue here is livability, Naperville's downtown has excelled at providing a small town atmosphere with the economic muscle that other towns would give anything to have. We need to very carefully consider anything that is as big time rule changer as this proposal. If we build 5 floor's hard against the river, that "something special" that is the riverwalk in the downtown area will be lost, and you can bet the rest of the riverwalk to the east, all the way to Washington will follow suit.

We also need to consider that 5 floors means 5 floors of people and traffic. There is a point where the downtown simply is unnavigable. Ask any commuter trying to get to and from the train station or I88 on Washington these days.

100 years ago Chicago's city father's had the foresight to lay out a park system along lake Michigan, from Evanston to Calumet Harbor. 25 years ago Jim Moser had a similar vision for the Riverwalk, part of which which was then the municipal garage. I was here then, and the development that followed the riverwalk's debut has been amazing. Without the riverwalk this town would be a very different place. So, in the end it seems to me the question is this; Do we honor the vision of providing a little bit of nature in our downtown, while allowing sensible development, or do we sell our souls for a few additional pieces of silver?

While thoughtful developement has helped to make Naperville the great city it is, this proposal bears some serious consideration.

The Riverwalk is the jewell of our downtown, it provides a lovely natural setting and great respite in our busy downtown. This development will change the character of the riverwalk and hence detract from the charm and liveability of our city.

The other issue that bears serious consideration is the precident this development sets. Placing an imposing structure on the riverwalk now will make it easy for other developers to follow siut and we will lose this asset. The city had the forethought to build and keep this natural setting in our downtown, losing it to development will forever change NAperville.

Keeping the character of the riverwalk is central to keeping Naperville the big city with small town charm. This small town charm is what attarcts not only residents, but visitors. Visitors who stregthen our economy.

So, well development of Water St. is a needed project, let us look at the kind of developmnet Naperville can or should support.

Sentiments like those posted by "fasteddie" are typical rhetorical mush: discredit your opponent by name-calling and then put words in their mouth.

The reality is this: people opposed to the current plans for Water Street aren't against development. They simply want to set reasonable standards for development that don't destroy the fabric of the community. Applying Eddie's logic, I might as well say: Fasteddie apparently is some kind of big-government statist - in favor of all kinds of taxes.

The other part of his argument is easily recognizable and refuted. It can be distilled thus: "who are you to say?" The two part answer to that, of course, is 1) people who are concerned about their community have a say in development and 2) people who have seen these developments in other municipalities know that the change is generally not for the better.

Honest thinkers will acknowledge that where downtown areas have been depressed or in a state of disrepair, developments like these have been quite positive. Naperville's downtown, however, can hardly be classified as depressed or in disrepair. As we've seen before, and we'll no doubt see again, this is a solution in search of a problem.

While the buildings shown in the drawings (and remember, these drawings were done to flatter and "sell" the concept) look somewhat attractive, they are just too big! The developer wants to sell the concept that creating a "European" flair along the river is something Naperville needs and will be a long term benefit to the community. However, in this case Eurpoean Flair translates into congestion, narrowed streets, and the despoiling of a view along the river for the benefit of a few wealthy condo owners who may be able to afford the top floor penthouses that will overwhelm our city's downtown. This project, as proposed, is bad for Naperville!

Facts:

1. Downtown Naperville is no different than any other area zoned similarly, it is dynamic and growth will occur to accommodate both the developer and the whims of the politician.

2 The sole purpose of growth is economic, increased TAX DOLLARS, not to make things more pretty or nice. Witness Lisle, they’re willing to spend $15 million to BUILD an entire new downtown in a pure attempt to fill their shaky coffers.

3. Land is the cocaine of developers and when you have some you cannot waste it. Given a footprint you must do all you can to maximize its use.

Naperville is certainly no different than any other town and will do what they must if the rewards are sufficient. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, just judicious. Given that, just how many new bars do you suppose these buildings will provide for in Naperville?

The south side of Water Street is appropriate for the tall buildings. The north side should be much shorter and maximum distance from the river. Planned progress is important for this wonderful town.

i think it looks great. why doesn't anyone mention the buildings that are currently there? they are old, some are ugly and all are right on top of the river. my biggest caveat is the huge tax break they want to give the developer (unless they are including parking in the building)

I attended the Council's recent workshop on Water St. and was surprised that there was no discussion of the traffic that this development will generate. Funneling traffic generated by this development down Main St. and Aurora Ave. is a recipe for disaster with the existing poor traffic situation,about which it is nearly impossible to do anything. Now that other parcels have also been purchased by the developers - with pictures distributed at the workshop meeting showing Phase II looking like a similar density we'll be able to go back to the horse and buggy days and get somewhere quicker. On the other hand, I guess the horse and buggy concept fits right in with the Settlement at least!

Why aren't our Councilmen concerned about traffic from this development?

I agree with anthony's sentiments. The current structures are spilling over into the river. Won't this new development add a walk along that side of the river? How will adding to the riverwalk itself distract from downtown Naperville?

I think the plans look great.

Unfortunately, it appears we will be seeing just how these buildings will effect the Riverwalk, and to add insult to injury, will also subsidize it with a TIF. It will be a sad day in Naperville when that happens.

"i think it looks great. why doesn't anyone mention the buildings that are currently there? they are old,"

Yes, Anthony, if there's one thing that one doesn't want to see in a historic town, it's old buildings ... (rolls eyes)